Palmgren tipsters could earn reward

Palmgren tipsters could earn reward

Signal Mountain mother and resident Gail Palmgren is still missing, and so is, to a large extent, community support for her case, says nearby resident Clive Bonnick. That's why he and other community volunteers have established a reward for information leading to her return.

"If you don't promote through media and reward funds, stuff like this just gets lost; people get forgotten," he said. "The only hope we really have to find her is to get somebody who's seen something or knows something to come forth. I'm so afraid this lady, who doesn't come from here, is going to be forgotten."

Citizens wishing to donate to the fund can do so directly at First Bank or through a Facebook page dedicated to "'Gail Palmgren Reward Fund." Bonnick said he's trying to get Gov. Bill Haslam to endorse the search and fund as he did for Holly Bobo, a 20-year-old missing from Parsons, Tenn. since April 13.

"We're at a low point where not much news is going on and we've searched everywhere we can search," Bonnick said. "There are people who have seen her since she disappeared. We don't know who they are, but we want them to come forward."

Tips should be directed to either the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office or the Signal Mountain Police Department. Sheriff's Office spokesperson Janice Atkinson said no new developments have occurred.

Bonnick plans to hold a candlelight vigil in Palmgren's honor sometime near the beginning of July. Details are still being worked out, but will be forthcoming on the Facebook page. He is asking everyone to support Palmgren's safe return by at least attending the ceremony or offering words of support to searching volunteers.

Should Palmgren not be found and the reward therefore not given out, the fund will likely either be donated to a charity in Palmgren's name or to the reward fund for another missing person.

"Obviously, the more reward you can offer, the more likely you are to get a tip in," said Bonnick.

Donations to the reward fund for tips leading to Gail Palmgren's return can be made through the dedicated Facebook page using FundRazr and Paypal. Checks can also be mailed to Gail Palmgren Reward Fund at First Bank, 401 Chestnut St., Suite 100, Chattanooga, TN 37402 or any branch office. Transfers can also be made directly from individual banks to this account.